On the 29th of September, GEMX’s Projector Director Joanne Sweeney embarked on the NI Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Best Practice Cluster Study Tour in the Basque Country, accompanied by representatives from some partner companies, including McColgan’s Quality Foods, Nuprint Technologies, and Fleming Agri-Products Ltd. Also in attendance were delegates from MEGA Network, MTF, AMIC, IPC Mouldings, Mid & East Antrim Council, Ulster University, Department for Economy, Meehan Associates, Invest NI, and Northern Regional College. The key objectives of this excursion was to identify opportunities for Northern Ireland, explore collaborative ecosystem structures, understand effective cluster policy and governance models, and benchmark advanced manufacturing and digitalisation practices. Exposure to mature cluster ecosystems will inform the development of more effective cluster strategies in N.I., supporting stronger collaboration between firms, academia, and government.
The trip began with a visit to TECNALIA, a leading applied research centre in the Basque Country whose purpose is to transform technological research into prosperity, helping companies and institutions become more competitive and supporting sustainable growth while improving people’s quality of life. The next stop was the CFAA, a research and innovation centre in the Basque Country that focuses on developing advanced manufacturing technologies specifically for the aeronautics sector, especially for engines and structural components. They also paid visits to AFM Cluster, DANOBAT, IDEKO, ACLIMA, TKNIKA, IMH Campus, BRTA, and Cluster de Energia.
Just 30 years ago, the Basque region had an unemployment rate of 40%. Today, that figure stands at just 5%. The community’s commitment to innovation, skill development, and academics has made this transformation possible. They are an inspiring example of what can happen when a region comes together and focuses on the future and the alignment amongst education, industry and government.
